Welcome to our weekly Newsround. Let’s see what has been in the news this week and we start with some good news for once.
Energy efficiency in PRS sees improvement
A new survey out this week by the English Housing Survey claims that overall energy efficiency within the private rented sector has improved. However, they caveat that with the fact that the private rented sector still has the most properties with damp and mould present.
The survey states that the proportion of homes within the bands A to C has increased to 56% in 2024 (previously only 26%) and in lower bands of E to G it has decreased to 23% (was 9%). There has also been a noticeable increase of properties in band C increasing from 45% to 52%.
Interestingly, despite the improvement in energy efficiency, damp and mould is still a growing issue with 15% of homes that failed to meet the Decent Homes Standard in 2024, which has not changed much since 2022. 9% of dwellings in 2024 have a HHRS Category 1 hazard.
Propertymark is calling on the government to give as much help to landlords as they can with clear guidance, financial support and realistic timelines.
The survey also mentions that it takes, on average £7,040 to bring the average private rented property to an EPC C rating.
Borough wide licensing brings new intelligence led enforcement
The London Borough of Brent now requires all landlords, even single ones, to hold a valid licence.
Their enforcement team is now working actively in rooting out rogue landlords that do not have a licence by using intelligence-led investigations, along with data analysis at its core, to catch rogue landlords operating illegally.
Councils must adapt to more effective measures. A spokesperson said any landlord found running a property without a licence will face serious consequences, with civil penalties up to £30,000 per offence.
Making Tax Digital: new rules announced
Making Tax Digital comes into effect on the 6th April this year for those landlords who earn more than £50,000. They have stated that under the rules of the scheme, if landlords do not keep their email address updated, they could potentially be liable for a fine of anything up to £1000.00.
Shadow work and pensions secretary Mark Garnier has said that this is ‘disproportionate’ and ‘unprecedented’ and wants the government to reconsider, saying that there was nothing currently of equal standing for not updating a postal address. He said
This is about regular taxpayers, and this penalty could catch out people who are more vulnerable or less financially literate.
Lucy Rigby, economic secretary to the Treasury, said that it would be regularly reviewed and ‘safeguards will be included’ with an option for those who are vulnerable to ‘opt out and remain on non digital channels’.
Shelter wants to work with landlords
The new CEO of Shelter, Sarah Elliott has announced this week that the housing charity needs to work as a collective with landlords and councils if ‘they are going to improve the system and end homelessness’.
This is quite a change from the previous chief executive, Polly Neate, who criticised landlords. Sarah Elliott said
I think we’re very pragmatic, and I think our role will need to evolve. Where there are rogue landlords who are not doing the right thing, we clearly will not be on their side.
She also added that the charity is keen to work with councils and housing developers to build more social housing.
Snippets
Landlord urged to record WHY as well as WHAT to avoid fines
WANTED: landlords to test new PRS database
New short lets register likely to kick off this spring
Enforcement is the issue on the decent homes standard
Landlords need a practical safety roadmap for the Renters Rights Act
How the failures that caused Grenfell still exist today
See also our Quick News Updates on Landlord Law
Newsround will be back again next week
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